REFLECTIONS ON THANKFULNESS

It’s the day after Thanksgiving, and all the activity of the day—cooking, eating, spending time in fellowship with friends—is over.  In the quietness of this “day after” I’ve spent some time reflecting on what I’m really thankful for—not just in words, but in true heartfelt emotion.

It was less than three weeks ago that my husband and I were in Nairobi, Kenya.  One evening, after having dinner with some new friends, we took a taxi back to the guesthouse where we were staying.  My sense of direction was totally disoriented and I had no clue where we were in the city.  I simply had to trust the taxi driver that he would get us to our destination.  

It was not a smooth ride—there were lots of potholes and speed bumps.  And, from my perspective, the traffic was chaotic.  I still had vivid memories of three years ago when we were in Kenya and narrowly missed being in a tragic accident in which there was a fatality—our driver’s quick reaction saved our lives.  And during this current trip, we had seen accidents almost every day we were in Nairobi. 

I realized as we swerved in and out of traffic I had absolutely no control over the situation; my safety was in the hands of the taxi driver.  I was, for all practical purposes at that moment, entrusting my life to him. 

Strangely though, I was totally relaxed and at peace with an assurance that in due time we would arrive at the guesthouse.  This surprised me, and I marveled at the thought.

How was it that I could entrust my life to a total stranger in the midst of what could be a very dangerous situation.  I knew nothing about this man that made him trustworthy, except that he was employed by the taxi company, which I assume would have made sure he could drive safely.  How could I trust him like this, and yet experience times when I had trouble trusting God, whom I do know, and whose very character is marked by trustworthiness?  It sounds absurd, doesn’t it!

I must admit, I am thankful for the taxi driver who got us to our destination safely, but I’m most thankful for my Heavenly Father who is totally trustworthy to carry me through all of life’s dangers and trials and bring me safely to my final destination in His Heavenly Kingdom.

This is beautifully expressed in a quote from A.W. Tozer:  “With the goodness of God to desire our highest welfare, the wisdom of God to plan it, and the power of God to achieve it, what do we lack?  Surely we are the most favored of all creatures.”

For this I am truly thankful.

THE DELIGHT OF NEW INSIGHTS

Have you ever experienced an insight that filled you with delight?

Recently my husband and I were on a trip through several states in the American Northwest.   As we were driving from Casper, Wyoming to Rapid City, South Dakota, we traveled through an area where there was extensive strip-mining for coal.  As we checked on the map, we figured we were about fifty miles from the next town called Newcastle.

My husband immediately thought of the expression “selling coal to Newcastle.” Having only a vague recollection of its meaning, we looked it up on his iPhone.

According to Wikipedia, the expression refers to a “foolhardy or pointless action.”  It grew out of the fact that at some point in the past, Newcastle upon Tyne in north-eastern England was a huge producer of coal, “and therefore any attempt to sell coal to Newcastle would be doomed to failure” because they had no need of it.  

As we were discussing and thinking about this, my husband suddenly said, “Hey, we’re in coal mining country and the name of the next town is Newcastle!”  

At that moment, we experienced the delight and joy of a new-found insight.  The fact that the town to which we were driving was named Newcastle took on a whole new meaning! 

It’s amazing the transformation that takes place in the mind when it becomes enlightened!  We knew we were on the road to a city named Newcastle, but it meant nothing to us—it was just a name.  It wasn’t until we learned and understood the significance of the name and its connection to coal that it took on a new meaning.

As I reflected on this little delight, I thought of other times I’ve experienced the joy of “a light bulb experience.”  There were several that soon came to mind, but the one that stood out most was the time I really grasped an understanding of who Jesus is:  that he is God himself, taking on human flesh and coming to live among his creation.  

That insight changed my whole perspective and understanding of Jesus’ death and resurrection.  In Jesus, God had became a part of his creation and did for me what I could not do for myself.  That insight changed my life.  

So often in life, we don’t have the curiosity or the willingness to seek the information that leads to the discovery of such insights. If my husband and I hadn’t wanted to know more about the saying “selling coal to Newcastle” and put forth the effort to learn what it meant, we’d have missed both the insight and the delight.

Likewise, it takes effort to grasp the understanding of who Jesus really is.  The fact that he is fully God and fully man is a mystery; but God says that if we seek to know him with all our heart, he will reveal himself to us (Luke 11:10, Jeremiah 29:11-13, Proverbs 8:17).  

The beautiful thing about seeking him and finding him is that the more we seek to know him, the more he reveals himself to us; and through this process, we have the continual opportunity to experience the “delight of new insights.”

A TALE OF TWO KINGS

Today is July 4, the birthday of the United States of America.  On this date in 1776, our forefathers put their lives on the line and signed the Declaration of Independence, declaring freedom from British rule.

Those of us who know and understand the history of our country have a deep gratitude for the patriots who risked everything for what they believed was right.  Their example still motivates us today.  

What was it that caused them to declare independence from the British?  The king was exploiting the colonists and taxing them in oppressive ways.  He ignored the fact that as British citizens, it was their right to be represented in the law-making bodies in Britain.  The king didn’t really care about the welfare of the American colonists.

But what if the king had been concerned about the welfare of his subjects?  What if his predisposition had been one of goodwill toward them with a desire to see them prosper?  It is quite possible that the American colonies would still be a part of Britain today.  

However, that’s not a sure thing.  Take for example the King of Kings and His subjects, Adam and Eve.  Here is a case where the King was benevolent toward His subjects, but they still rebelled.  

He created a beautiful Garden for their home and provided everything they needed.  In His goodness, He gave them dominion over all that He had placed in the Garden; they were to rule over it and take care of it.  All He required was their obedience.

But, when tempted, they disobeyed by choosing to follow their own desires.   The consequences were severe, resulting in a curse being placed on all creation.  We now live in the result of that choice.  

But this good King of Kings is still good, and He has a plan.  He came to earth and broke the grip of that curse, so that all who follow Him will one day live as He had originally planned — in new bodies, on a new Earth, with Him.  That’s Heaven.  And, He’s still seeking those who will come to Him and obey Him.

I find an interesting paradox here.  We celebrate our independence from a tyrannical king, an independence that has allowed us to exercise what we consider our right to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”   But at the same time, we ignore the King of Kings, who in His goodness, mercy, and love offers us that very life, liberty, and happiness for which we seek.

Seems like a mystery, doesn’t it.  It is!  But it’s real.

So, on this Fourth of July, let us rejoice in celebrating our country’s independence and the many freedoms it has provided us.  As you do, also think about the plan of the benevolent King of Kings.  If you've never considered His offer, you may be surprised to find it’s the very thing you’ve been seeking.

Happy Birthday America!  (and perhaps even a Happy Birthday to the new you!)

TREASURE HUNTING

For lunch today I had a salad made out of “treasures” from my backyard, most of which I had not planted.  My favorite green this time of year is lambsquarter (also called goosefoot or Belgian spinach).  Most people consider it a weed. 

However, according to Dr. Peter Gail, Director of Goosefoot Acres Center for Wild Vegetable Research and Education, its leaves have more vitamin C than citrus fruit and more vitamin A than carrots.  It’s the richest green vegetable source of calcium and is especially rich in protein, B vitamins and phosphorus.

Dr. Gail states, “It is sadly amusing to watch serious gardeners deliberately destroy these young wild spinach plants growing voluntarily in their gardens, at no cost or work to them, to make room to plant cultivated spinach seeds which are harder to grow, less tasty and not as nutritious!”

Joyfully, the treasures of my backyard aren’t limited to just lambsquarter.  From the many wild edibles available there, I chose dandelion greens and blossoms, violet leaves and blossoms, volunteer Egyptian onion greens, and volunteer cilantro.  Added to that were a few thinnings from the arugula and lettuce plantings, and the tops and bulbs of the freshly pulled radishes.  Drizzled with a homemade oil and vinegar dressing seasoned with basil (dried from last year’s crop), I had a super salad.  I could just “feel” my cells saying “Thank-you.”

But let’s be honest.  The idea of eating “weeds” is not all that appealing to most people, or even me – unless, of course, I know they’re edible, nutritious, and palatable.  Then they’re treasures.

As I sat and ate my Backyard Salad, I began to think about other “treasures” in life that I might be missing – either because I don’t know about them, or because the thought of them is not appealing. 

“That’s it,” I thought.  “I miss out on treasures because I don’t recognize them as treasures.  And I don’t recognize them as treasures because they’re not appealing to me!

My mind suddenly jumped to a lecture I recently attended.  The speaker, Dr. David Levy, is a renowned neurosurgeon.  During his speech he talked about the power of forgiveness in the context of his relationship with his father.  He had issues with his father that stemmed from his childhood and had a lasting effect on him.  But he finally came to the place where he forgave his father and worked to develop a relationship with him, during which time he let his father know he had forgiven him.  

Then Dr. Levy made this profound statement:  “The greatest gift children can give their parents is to forgive them – even when they don’t ask for it.”

Wow!  Now that’s a nugget of pure gold!  A hidden treasure! I hadn’t really thought of my forgiving someone as a gift to them, but it is.  If someone owes me some money and I “forgive him the debt,” I’m absorbing the cost.  It costs to forgive because forgiving means that I am releasing the other person from their obligation to me.  (That’s not always appealing because our natural inclination is to “make them pay” for what they’ve done.)  But the result can be real freedom in the relationship.

That’s a treasure I’ve tucked away in my heart to not only apply in my own life, but to pass on to others. 

I have a hunch that treasures are everywhere, and that we miss them because we aren’t really looking for them.  And, I have a hunch that often we fail to recognize the treasure because it seems so counter-intuitive – like the thought of eating highly nutritious weeds.

Treasure hunting!  It’s something you can do too.  Just think of it as finding nourishment for the soul. 

And while you’re at it, try some lambsquarter from your own backyard and nourish your physical body as well! 

SPRING CLEANING

It's spring! In the name of “spring-cleaning” I've been attacking some shelves in the basement and came across a long-forgotten, unused, Christmas gift—a set of knives.

I don't remember how many years ago I received those knives, or why they got relegated to the basement.  My hunch is that I didn't have a place for them in the kitchen at the time, and as often happens, I needed to get things cleaned up in a hurry so stashed them on a shelf in the basement until I could make a place.  As life's distractions occupied my mind, I simply forgot about them.

However, I'm delighted to have found them. I can really use them since my current knives are old and rather dull. I also found several other useful items that I'd forgotten I had. Such finds make spring cleaning a far more enjoyable task—kind of like Christmas in April!

As I was reveling in my new-found gifts, I began to think about how I could have been using these items all along, making some kitchen tasks easier. But, unfortunately, there they were, sitting on a shelf in my basement, and of no use to me. It was as if I didn't even have them all that time. Yet, they were there, available to me, just waiting to be used.

I began to think of other things in my life that are available to me, but going unused. In particular, I began focusing on all that God has given us as believers in Jesus–“for by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8).

Through God's grace we've been given the gift of God. That gift, called salvation, was offered to us and we said, “Yes.” At that point, God put in us a “new heart” that opens up a whole new world of promises and gifts available to us through Jesus’ power (Ezekiel 11:19-20).

It's like there are lots of shelves in this “new heart” where all the gifts are stored. They’re ours—we possess them—but unfortunately, many of them can remain unused, either because we don't know they're there, or because we've forgotten about them. We learn about them through the study of the Bible, and use them through the power of the Holy Spirit.

But there's a catch in this story: “As we learn about the gifts that are ours, we have to want to use them and make them a part of our lives. This, however, is where the glorious secret comes in: God causes us to want to use the gifts, and then empowers us to do so. It's a joint effort between God and each of us.

Unfortunately, as in any good story, there’s a villain–an antagonist–trying to interfere and spoil things. And in the story of our lives it's no different. Our own self will can be our biggest enemy (influenced by Satan's deceptions). Rather than use God's gifts to live according to His plan for us (experiencing peace, joy, happiness, significance, purpose, etc. in the midst of life's trials), we are deceived into thinking we can live life according to our own desires and in our own strength.  Often we don’t even recognize we’re trying to live in our own power, and as a result, we ignore or are oblivious to God's gifts.

What's the solution? A Spring Cleaning of the Heart! Let's rediscover those unused gifts that are setting on the shelves in our “new hearts.” Pick them up, dust them off, and look in the User’s Manual to find out how to use them through His empowering strength!

As a result, we can all have a Merry April Christmas as we do spring cleaning in our hearts and find the unused treasures of God's gifts!

INFINITY

March 14 was Pi Day.  You know − π − the symbol that represents “the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter.” 

We all learned in school that π = 3.14.  So, mathematicians, math teachers, math students, and even the rest of us who are interested, celebrate Pi Day on 3/14.  

Makes sense?

But 3.14 is really only an abbreviation. The real Pi is 3.14159265358979323846264338 3279502884197169399375105820974944592307816406286208998.............. ad infinitum     

According to Wikipedia, it’s been figured up to five trillion digits and just keeps on going; it never ends!  It is one of the most important “constants” in mathematics.  

Let your mind follow those digits as though they were a long train, extending into eternity.  The train never ends. You just keep going−forever and ever and ever and ever and ever... Close your eyes and try to imagine it before you finish reading this post. Let your mind follow that train for as long as you can, realizing that it will never end.

That’s a picture of infinity!  

When we really concentrate on something going on forever, without end, we reach a point where we begin to feel panic.  Everything we know has a beginning and an end; our finite minds can’t sanely comprehend the infinite unknown.

That being the case, how can we even begin to understand God. The digits in Pi have a beginning; it’s just the end that’s infinite.  But God has no beginning and no end!  He calls Himself, “I AM.”  He exists outside of time!  He is eternal.

To stretch our thinking even further, that same God has infinite power, infinite love, infinite goodness, infinite mercy.  He is everywhere present; He knows all things; He is in control of all things.  He created all things−the vast universe being explored by astronomers down to the “God particle” being searched for by physicists at Fermilab.  

That God has a plan; and we, as His creation, are a part of that plan. It’s mind-boggling to realize that He extends to us the promise of infinite life, i.e. eternal life.  “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

Just think of it! Life without an end!  Living forever, and ever, and ever, and ever...  A life that keeps on going, just like Pi.  

Do you suppose God has hidden examples of the infinite (like Pi) in His creation so we might gain glimpses of what He is like?

PRIVACY INVADED?

In recent days there’s been a lot of talk about privacy issues concerning the internet.   Google, in particular, has been singled out because of the changes it has made regarding the information it collects about individuals and how that information is used.

We like to think of our private lives as being “private.”   We feel uncomfortable when we realize that our every move is being tracked, even though we may have nothing to hide.  Somehow, there’s a sense of being violated when our privacy is invaded.

My generation grew up with an a respect for the privacy of others.  To enforce that, laws were made about such things as eavesdropping and wiretapping. 

However, the internet has created a new reality.  With no laws on the books and with our innocent unawareness, the internet has invaded our privacy in ways we can hardly comprehend.  We feel violated when, without our knowledge or permission, information about us is being recorded and made available or sold to other entities in our society who seek to target us. 

And, not only that, but there are actual dangers -- those who seek to use our private information against us, such as stealing our identity.

Feeling violated and helpless, I don’t really like this invasion of privacy, but at least I can take comfort in the fact that no one can know or record my inner thoughts! 

Or can Someone?

“...for the Lord searches all hearts, and understands every intent of the thoughts.”  (I Chronicles 28:9b)

            “For He knows the secrets of the heart.” (Psalm 44:21b)

            “You know my reproach and my shame and my dishonor.” (Psalm 69:19)

            “And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and

            laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.”  (Hebrews 4:13)

            “For the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that He may

            strongly support those whose heart is completely His.”  (II Chronicles 16:9)

Most of us live out our lives unaware that even our most private thoughts and actions are known by the One who created us! 

In reality, my privacy has always been invaded and recorded by God who knows me intimately.  I’m not anonymous with Him.  He knows me in the truest sense of the word.  I can’t hide anything from Him; He is all-knowing. 

So, if my privacy is already being invaded by God, why am I so concerned about my privacy being invaded by the internet? 

It all has to do with the one doing the invading.

Because God is who He is, I know I can trust Him.  His predisposition toward me is one of “goodwill.”  He uses the information He knows about me to draw me to Himself in love, with the intent of transforming my heart to be like His.  In fact, being intimately known by God brings comfort when I’m a right relationship with Him.

The internet, on the other hand, is not particularly trustworthy.  The use of the information gathered about me is used by others to, in a sense, exploit me.  Money and power are the motivating factors behind the invasion of my privacy.  This produces fear and anxiety rather than love and comfort.  

But, because I live in this new reality of the internet age, I have to make a choice.  I can hibernate and refuse to use the internet out of mistrust and fear, or I can learn to use it wisely and embrace it for what it has to offer, trusting the One who is trustworthy and all-knowing to protect me from any harm -- for ultimately He, who is all-knowing, has the most power. 

No one -- not even Google -- can invade God’s privacy or override His power!

DECEPTION

Recently, when visiting my son’s family, I was quizzing my two-and-a-half year old grandson about the color of each family member’s hair.  After asking about several family members, I asked him, “What color is Grandma’s hair?” he paused for a moment and then said, “Gray!”  

Inwardly, I was somewhat shocked!  I don’t really think of myself as having gray hair.  When I look in the mirror, I see light brown!  OK, to be honest, I see little tinges of gray around the edges and some gray hairs sprinkled throughout, but not enough (in my opinion) to consider myself gray.

Children, however, are usually pretty honest in these things.  So, I began to wonder if it’s really true that my hair is turning gray.  Do my friends and other people see me as gray?  

After careful examination in front of the mirror, and outside in the sunlight (the sunlight is painfully revealing) I have to confess, “Yes, I’m getting gray.”  I guess I’ve just been deceiving myself!

In considering this interaction with my grandson, I’ve realized just how subtle deception can be, and that I’m not immune to it.  It has caused me to reflect on how I, as well as all mankind, live in the danger of falling prey to the trap of deception.

Throughout history, men and women of great intellect have lived in deception.  Preconceived ideas, based on how we want things to be, can cause us to deceive ourselves into believing something is true just because we want it to be true.  

One example is the commonly held belief into the Late Renaissance that the sun and planets rotated around the earth.  The authorities of the Holy Roman Empire firmly embraced this view because it conveniently fit their view of the universe, and it made sense to the church authorities that the Earth should be the center of all things.  However, when astronomers like Copernicus and Galileo, and the mathematician, Johannes Kepler began to prove through the use of telescopes and mathematical calculations that the sun was the center of the solar system, and that the planets (including Earth), rotated around it, their discoveries were rejected by the church because the authorities at that time wanted to believe that the Earth was the center of all things.  As we know, they were living in self-imposed deception.

  

Conversely, we can deceive ourselves into believing something isn’t true because we don’t want it to be true.  I see this playing out continually in conversations I have with those who don’t want to believe in the God.  As long as they don’t believe there is a God, they don’t have to answer to Him.   

The great mathematician and master of probability, Blase Pascal, stated well the consequences of belief or unbelief in the God of the Bible through what has become known as Pascal’s Wager:

          If you bet there is a God and you are right, you stand to gain everything.  

          If you bet there is a God and you are wrong, you lose nothing.  

                   That’s one side of the wager:  the possibility of infinite gain and no loss.

          If you bet there is no God and you are right, you gain nothing.  

          If you bet there is no God and you are wrong, you lose everything.  

                   That’s the other side of the wager:  the possibility of infinite loss and no gain.

On the one side is the possibility of infinite gain and no loss; on the other, the possibility of infinite loss and no gain.  What does one have to lose by believing there is a God?  It only makes sense to explore who the Bible says God is, and in so doing have the possibility of infinite gain!

In whatever way we’ve chosen to think about God, there’s one thing we can’t do; we can’t change the truth.  One of these scenarios is true.  We can decide in our own minds who we think God is, what He is like, or if He exists at all, but that doesn’t mean we’re right.  God is who He is; we can’t change that simply by choosing not to believe it.

How easy it is to become trapped in deception!  

FREEDOM

In honor of February being Black Heritage Month, I've been reading the autobiography of Frederick Douglass.  His vivid descriptions of the horrors of slavery laid the vital background for communicating just how precious freedom was to him.

Not only did he endure the physical and psychological cruelty of his various masters, but he lived the early part of his life knowing that he was a "slave for life," with a sense of hopelessness that his destiny would ever be different.  Yet, he pursued freedom with great discipline, learning to read and write and educating himself, with a dream that one day he might be a free man.

As we know, he eventually did gain freedom and went on to be a great influence in the anti-slavery movement leading up to the civil war and beyond  He used his freedom, not just for his own benefit, but for the cause of bringing an end to the institution of slavery in our country.

His life story has inspired me to think about freedom and to question how we who live in freedom interpret its meaning.

I've heard people say, "My goal in life is freedom!"  My immediate thought is, "Freedom from what?"  As I've listened to their comments, I've realized that what they mean is they want freedom from the restraints of other people.  They don't want to be captive to other people's schedules, demands, or even perhaps their needs.

When I was teaching school and speaking to a student about his misconduct, I was surprised by his disrespectful and cocky comment, "This is a free country!"  He thought he could do whatever he wanted and no one had the right to make him do anything different.  His definition of freedom was that he didn't have to obey the rules!  We see this philosophy lived out every day in our society.

I've also heard people define freedom as "having the liberty to be the master of one's own destiny."  In essence they're saying that freedom is being free from God -- free from the guilt that they sense when they acknowledge there is a God -- free to live life for their own self-gratification, be it wealth, fame, love, success, or even philanthropic or humanitarian works done for their own sense of self-worth and significance.

In essence, all of these people define "freedom" to mean that they can do whatever they want without any accountability or guilt attached to their actions.  

I found it interesting that in his journey toward freedom, Mr. Douglass had a different perspective.  He not only found freedom from the bondage of slavery, but also spiritual freedom from the bondage of "self."  In his book My Bondage and My Freedom, after being told about his need to be reconciled to God, he states, "I cannot say that I had a very distinct notion of what was required of me; but one thing I knew very well -- I was wretched, and had no means of making myself otherwise...I was, for weeks, a poor, broken-hearted mourner, traveling through the darkness and misery of doubts and fears.  I finally found that change of heart which comes by 'casting all one's care' upon God, and by having faith in Jesus Christ, as the Redeemer, Friend, and Savior of those who diligently seek Him.  After this, I saw the world in the new light.  I seemed to live in a new world, surrounded by new objects, and to be animated by new hopes and desires."  (chapter 12)

And so, Fredrick Douglass, in the midst of his yearning for freedom from slavery, encountered the Living God and was granted a far greater freedom -- spiritual freedom.  This not only brought him strength in the midst of the great sorrow and trials of slavery, but it shaped his life as a free man as well.

PERSPECTIVE

So often when I read the morning paper, I come away feeling the weight of a broken world.  But today I was greeted by a refreshing article with a different perspective.

Featured on the front page of the Chicago Tribune was the story of Sue and Ben Erickson, a young couple whose recently born baby has a rare, aggressive, cancerous brain tumor.  Even before their son was born, an ultrasound revealed that there was excessive cerebral fluid on his brain so they were preparing themselves for the possibility that their son could have physical or mental disabilities.  The article states that they “quickly accepted that God must have a special plan.”

When the true nature of the abnormality was revealed after birth and they realized the chances their son would live were very slim, they were faced with a choice.  They could take their baby home, love him, and wait for the inevitable; or they could opt for treatment with chemotherapy, which has had mixed success with infants and might even hasten his death.  After considering their options, they chose to pursue treatment.

The article went on to say, “The couple rallied, found support from their families and friends and chose to view the daunting journey ahead as a blessing.”  (italics mine)

“Incredible!” I thought.  Sue and Ben were able to look beyond their immediate circumstances which seemed like a curse, and see the potential for blessing. This brought to mind an ancient Chinese proverb that provides insight into this very topic.

THE LOST HORSE

as told by Joel Ben Izzy*

Long ago in a village in northern China, there lived a man who owned a magnificent horse.  So beautiful was this horse that people came from miles around just to admire it.  They told him he was blessed to own such a horse.

“Perhaps,” he said.  “But what seems like a blessing may be a curse.”

One day, the horse ran off.  It was gone.  People came to say how sorry they were for his bad luck.

“Perhaps,” he said.  “But what seems like a curse may be a blessing.”

A few weeks later, the horse returned.  It was not alone.  It was followed by twenty-one wild horses. By the law of the land, they became his property. He was rich with horses.

His neighbors came to congratulate him on his good fortune.  “Truly,” they said, “you have been blessed.” 

“Perhaps.  But what seems like a blessing may be a curse.”

Shortly after that his son -- his only son -- tried to ride one of the wild horses.  He was thrown from it and broke his leg.  The man’s neighbors came to say how sorry they were.  Surely, he had been cursed.

“Perhaps,” he said. “But what seems like a curse may be a blessing.”

A week later, the king came through that village, drafting every able-bodied young man for a war against the people of the north.  It was a horrible war.  Everyone who went from that village was killed.  Only that man’s son survived because of his broken leg.

To this day, in that village they say, “What seems like a blessing may be a curse.  What seems like a curse may be a blessing.”

As I thought about this paradox, the words of the Apostle Paul to the Romans came to mind: “God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose.” **

“That’s it, “ I thought.  What we think of as “good” isn’t necessarily what God considers “good” because He has a higher purpose in mind.  When I consider who God is, that He possesses the highest and purest form of goodness that exists, and that His predisposition toward those who love Him is one of love and goodwill, I can trust Him with my life.

It is apparent that Sue and Ben Erickson are viewing the definition of “good” from God’s perspective rather than mankind’s perspective.  In believing that God has a plan, they are yielding to His authority and are willing to accept the outcome, no matter how difficult that might be. 

I’m also reminded of Jesus’ words after he healed the man who had been blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Who sinned, this man or his parents, that he should be born blind?  Jesus answered, It was neither that this man sinned, nor his parents, but it was in order that the works of God might be displayed in him.” ***

This journey of blessing through which Sue and Ben Erickson and their son are traveling isn’t over yet.  In fact, it’s just beginning.  We can all watch their journey unfold through their Facebook page, which according to the newspaper report has already had nearly 150,000 views.  This little child’s life, even though it may be cut short, is already having more impact on this world than someone who may have lived to be 100!

You can access a video of Sue and Ben and their son, Matthew, at  www.chicagotribune.com/babychemo.

*Taken from Joel ben Izzy’s book The Beggar King and the Secret of Happiness,  pg. 11-12.

**Romans 8:28

***John 9:1-3

PURPOSEFUL STRUGGLE

Do you ever feel like you're struggling against circumstances in life that are keeping you from being the person you really want to be—or from doing what you really want to do? If so, you're not alone.  This struggle is common to the human race, but it’s not without purpose.

The encouraging news is that it’s possible to rise above this constant frustration by viewing your trials and circumstances in a different light.  You can draw strength and power from them instead of letting them sap your energy and plunge you into despair.

I’m sure we’ve all wished at times that we could just live without the struggle.  Life would be so much easier and enjoyable if things would just go ‘right.’  We think we know what’s best for us and are constantly seeking for a life of ease.

Perhaps you can identify with one of the caterpillars in the following story.

The Butterfly Story

One day in a beautiful garden there lived three caterpillars. Each had spun a chrysalis (often called a cocoon) and was nearing the time to emerge from it to become a fully developed butterfly. However, each caterpillar had different thoughts about how to get out of his chrysalis.

The first one thought that the effort of breaking out of the chrysalis was too great. He struggled to break out, but it just seemed too hard so he decided to not bother. He would just be content to stay snug in the chrysalis for the rest of his life. As a consequence, he soon died.

The second one also began the struggle to break out of his chrysalis. Just then he saw someone passing by and called out, “Would you please help me?” I'm stuck in this chrysalis and I'm having difficulty getting out. Please break it open so I can crawl out.” The passerby had compassion on the caterpillar and, thinking he was doing a good deed, broke open the chrysalis for him.

“O, thank you!” exclaimed the newly emerged butterfly. He crawled out and gently unfolded his new wings, admiring their beauty, letting them dry in the sun.

When they were dry, he was motivated by the instinct to fly, but as he spread his wings to do so, he discovered that he couldn't fly. His wings were too weak. Sadly, he stayed perched on a leaf swaying in the breeze. All he could do was crawl around on the plant. What he hadn't realized was that the process of breaking out of the chrysalis was required to strengthen and develop his wings. Because he had thought the struggle was too great and had asked someone else to break open the chrysalis, he missed the opportunity to develop and strengthen his wing muscles. Unfortunately, it was too late; nothing could be done. He would never be able to fly.

Meanwhile, the third caterpillar had struggled and struggled to break out of his chrysalis. Many times he had to stop and rest, but he didn't give up. Little by little he could sense the chrysalis loosening, so he kept pushing with his folded wings, trying hard to crack open the dark, tight casing in which he had been entombed so long. 

Then, to his great joy, it happened; the chrysalis casing gave way and the caterpillar crawled out into the warm sunlight. He stretched out his wings to let them dry. He felt a surge of strength as he moved them around, letting the sunlight reach all sides.  When his wings were dry and he sensed the urge to fly, his wings worked beautifully; up he soared, flitting from one flower to another to sip some nectar. He had become a fully transformed caterpillar; he had become a butterfly! Indeed, he had become all that the Creator had intended him to be!

Ultimately, we want to be like the third butterfly; we want to be completely transformed into all we are created to be. What we fail to realize is that struggling, and overcoming in that struggle, are both a part of the transformation process.  Persevering like the third caterpillar is the most difficult, but the most rewarding.

 

The comforting and encouraging news is that God has a purpose in all He puts in our paths on life’s journey, and He provides the strength for us to accomplish it.  When we realize this, we can learn to embrace end engage in Purposeful Struggle.